Rob Hirst has died aged 70 (Image: Getty)
Midnight Oil drummer and songwriter Rob Hirst has died at the age of 70. The iconic musician’s death followed a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, which was first diagnosed in 2022. Alongside Jim Moginie and Andrew James, Rob was a founding member of the Australian rock band, which was formed in Sydney in 1972, and was later joined by Peter Garrett and Martin Rotsey. The band confirmed the tragic news on social media and confirmed that Rob “died peacefully.”
In an emotional tribute, they wrote: “After fighting heroically for almost three years, Rob is now free of pain – a ‘glimmer of tiny light in the wilderness’. He died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. The family asks that anyone wanting to honour Rob donate to @pankind_australia or @supportact.” Sharing a recent photo of the quartet, they added: “We are shattered and grieving the loss of our brother Rob. For now, there are no words, but there will always be songs. Love Always from Jim, Martin & Pete.”
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We are shattered and grieving the loss of our brother Rob. For now there are no words but there will always be songs. Love Always from Jim, Martin & Pete. pic.twitter.com/puTvcaxrT9
— Midnight Oil (@midnightoilband) January 20, 2026
Fans were left heartbroken as they shared their own tributes in the comments, as one shared: “What a drummer. Unforgettable energy, enthusiasm & talent. The Oils on the Water special for JJJ in the 80s was a high point of his work for me. RIP.”
A second added: “RIP Rob Hirst. Thank you For The Music. Condolences to Family and Friends.”
“Rest in Power, Rob. You were an inspiration to so many of us who wanted a better, more inclusive Australia. And you did it LOUDLY. Gonna listen to Place without a postcard tonight, my favourite Oils album,” a third echoed.
Another penned: “The best and hardest-working drummer in Australian music history. A terrific songwriter. Rob will be sadly missed.”
Rob Hirst was inundated with tributes from fans (Image: Getty)
A fifth shared: “Sad news, and way too young. Condolences to his family. He was mesmerising to watch back in the day. Vale Rob Hirst.”
“RIP Rob. Thanks for so many incredible memories. Thanks for being great. Condolences to Rob’s family and bandmates. Reunited with Bones to jam forever,” another fan commented.
Rob’s death follows the 2020 death of his bandmate, Bones Hillman, born Wayne Stevens, who tragically died at home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, aged 62 after a cancer battle.
At the time, Midnight Oil released a joint statement paying tribute to the guitarist and shared: “We’re grieving the loss of our brother Bones Hillman, who has passed away at his home in Milwaukee today after a cancer battle.
“He was the bassist with the beautiful voice, the band member with the wicked sense of humour, and our brilliant musical comrade.”
They continued: “Bones joined Midnight Oil way back in 1987 after stints in various Kiwi bands, most notably, The Swingers. He played and sang on every Midnight Oil recording since Blue Sky Mining and we did thousands of gigs together
“We will deeply miss our dear friend and companion and we send our sincerest sympathies to Denise, who has been a tower of strength for him. Haere rā Bonesy from Jim, Martin, Peter & Rob.”